The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, for most of its history, remained “dormant” until the 1990s, where it conducted its first ever military operations in former Yugoslavia. Several interventions took place from 1992 until 1995, when a peace agreement was signed.
In 1994, near the end of the conflict, the NATO military committee proposed the idea of awarding medals for personnel who had participated in NATO operations. The North Atlantic Council agreed and since then, NATO medals have been awarded to civilian and military personnel who have participated in NATO operations over the years.
Types of NATO Medals
NATO medals are identical in design, They are bronze, with a matching bar worn on the ribbon to identify the campaign. For example, the NATO Afghanistan medal has “ISAF” engraved on the ribbon bar. This has changed over the years, for example:
NATO Meritorious Service Medal
The NATO Meritorious Service medal is a unique medal awarded for exceptional or remarkable service under NATO command. Unlike the others, this medal and its ribbon bar are both made using silver. The ribbon bar states “Meritorious”, and the ribbon itself has white, gold, silver, and blue stripes. Up to 150 medals are awarded each year.
NATO Medal Ribbon
The ribbon of a NATO medal used to be unique to the campaign, with a variation of white and blue stripes. Though there have been several changes to the ribbon style over the years.
Personnel who had more than one tour on a NATO operation had numerals integrated into the ribbon. In 2003, this was discontinued until 2011, where it was introduced in a new style. Any medal issued between that timeframe would not have a numeral in the ribbon. Even replacement medal ribbons would not feature a numeral if the original was issued then.
Additionally in 2003, three design variants were established to differentiate certain types of operations. A medal for a Non-Article 5 operation would include a silver stripe. Article 5 operation medals would include a gold stripe, and the Meritorious Service medal integrates both silver and gold stripes.
The History of NATO Medals
1994
The concept of a NATO medal was proposed and later approved.
Issue of the Former Yugoslavia medal began.
1996
Non-NATO personnel were made eligible for a NATO medal.
1998
Following a new operation in Former Yugoslavia, a new “Kosovo” medal was issued.
1999
Medals would start recognising multiple tours, with a numeral attached to the ribbon.
2001
The first Article 5 operation began, prompting a review of the medal policy.
These Article 5 operations would later be issued as the Eagle Assist and Active Endeavour medals.
2002
The Meritorious Service medal was introduced
Three unique ribbon types were created to differentiate meritorious, Article 5, and Non-Article 5 medals.
The number of tours was phased out of the medal ribbon.
These changes, following the medal policy review, would take effect the following year.
2003
Changes made to the medal policy took effect.
The NATO Afghanistan medal, Macedonia, and Balkans medals were issued this year.
2005
Medals for the training mission in Iraq and AMIS missions were issued.
2008
Various operations across Africa began, leading to the creation of the Africa medal.
2009
Another review of the medal policy began.
2010
Unique ribbon clasps for the Active Endeavour and Balkans medals were introduced.
The Balkans medal had its ribbon updated to correspond with the Non-Article 5 design approved in 2002.
The numeric indicator for tours was reintroduced in a new style.
These changes, following the medal policy review, would take effect the following year.
2011
The approved changes to NATO medals took effect.
A medal for operations in Libya was introduced.
